Box car unloader



Oct. 11, 1955 B. HORKHEIMER BOX CAR UNLOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 27, 1953 Ben Hor/rhe/mer INVENTOR.

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Oct. 11, 1955 B. HORKHEIMER BOX CAR UNLOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 27, 1953 Ben Hor/rheimer INVENTOR.

m5 m? v3 United States Patent i BOX CAR UNLOADER Ben Horkheimer, Prairiedu Chien, Wis., assignor to Wisconsin Farmco Service Cooperative, acooperative association of Wisconsin Application April 27, 1953, SerialNo. 351,403

6 Claims. (Cl. 214-520) This invention relates in general to improvementin conveyors, and more specifically ,to a novel conveyor-type unloaderfor box cars.

At the present time numerous granular materials which should not beexposed to the elements are being shipped in box cars. Inasmuch as therehas not been provided any convenient .eans for unloading such granularmaterials from box cars, said materials are normally shoveled out of thecars. The .shovelling of granular materials such as potash requiresconsiderable time on the part of a number of men and is a relativelyexpensive unloading operation.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide animproved unloader for box cars and the like, which may be utilized inthe unloading of granular mate.- rials such as potash in a minimum oftime with a minimum of labor so as to greatly reduce the cost ofunloading.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader forbox cars which includesa first conveyor adapted to extend longitudinallyof. a her; car for moving granular materials from and in thereof towardsthe middle, said unloader including a second con veyor extendingtransversely of a box car and having a central portion thereof disposedadjacent one end of the first conveyor for receiving materials movingtowards the center thereby whereby the materials may be moved out ofardoorwayof a box car. i

Anoter object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader forbox cars which is of a relatively simple construction and formed ofreadily obtainable materials so as to be economically feasible, saidunloader being operable by .a sing cQperator.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader forbox cars which includes plural conveyors at angles to each other,support means for said conveyors being collapsible so as to reduce theoverall size of the unloader whereby the same'way easily pass pthrough adoorway of a box car.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved unloaderfor box cars which may be moved relative to ,a box car within theinterior thereof so that the major portion of the ;contents of the boxcar may be unloaded by the unloader.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter jdescribed and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a horizontal sectional view taken through one-half of thebox ,car and shows the unloader, which is the subject of thisinvention,.positioned therein,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon theplane indicated by the section .line 2-2 of Figure 1 and shows themanner in which one boom of the unloader is mounted with respect to theother boom, the freight car being omitted;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially 2,720,326Patented Oct. 11, 1955 'ice upon the plane indicated by the section line3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the general arrangement of a longitudinallyextending boom of the unloader and its associated conveyor, also beingillustrated is the connection between the longitudinal boom and thetransverse boom;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 2 and shows theconstruction of a support from one end of a transverse boom; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the planeindicated by the section line 55 of Figure 3 and shows the constructionof a support from one end of the longitudinal boom.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated in Figure 1 a portion of a box car which is referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 10. The box car 10 is of a conventionalconstruction and includes side walls 12 and end wall 14. The side walls12 are provided with suitable doorways 16 which are closable by slidingdoors l8.

Disposed within the box car 10 for unloading granular materials carriedthereby is the box car unloader which is the subject of this invention,the unloader being referred to in general by the reference numeral 20.The unloader 20 includes a longitudinal boom which is referred to ingeneral by reference numeral 22 and a. transverse boom which is referredto in general by the reference numeral 24. It will be understood thatthe longitudinal boom 22 may be considered a first boom and the:transverse boom 24 a second boom.

As is best illustrated in Figure 2, the transverse boom 24 includestelescoped outer and inner boom members 26 and 28, respectively. Theinner boom member 28 has an inner end portion thereof telescoped withinthe outer boom member 26 and is provided at that end with an extension30 which extends substantially through the outer boom member 26. Carriedby the outer end of the boom 26 remote from the inner boom member 28 isan adjusting fastener 32 which has an end portion extending into theouter boom member 26 and engaging the end of the extension 30. Throughthe use of the fastener 32, the overall length of the transverse boom 24may be varied.

Secured to the free end of the outer boom member 26 on the undersidethereof is a mounting plate 34 to which is connected a support which isreferred to in general by the reference numeral 36. As best illustratedin Figure 4, support 36 includes longitudinal extending angle member 38which forms a base. Extending outwardly from the ends of thelongitudinal angle member 38 are converging braces 40 whose upper endsare connected to the underside of the plate 34.

The free end of the inner boom member 28 has secured to the uppersurface thereof a plate 42. Secured to the underside of the plate 42,adjacent its inner end, is a support which is referred to in general bythe reference numeral 44. The support 44, like the support 36, includesa longitudinally extending angle member 46 which functions as a base.Extending outwardly from opposite ends of the angle member 46 inconverging relation is a pair of braces 48. The upper ends of the braces48 are secured to the underside of plate 42 at edges thereof.

Carried by the underside of plate 42 on Opposite sides of the boommember 28 are depending V-shaped hangers 50. The V-shaped hangers haveformed at their apices suitable journals 52 in which is mounted forrotation, a drive shaft 54. The drive shaft 54 extends out from betweenthe hangers 50 to one side of the plate 42 and is provided thereon witha drive sprocket 56.

Mounted on the plate 42 is a suitable power unit 58 which is drivinglyconnected to a reduction gear box 60. The reduction gear box 60 hasextending therefrom a drive shaft 62 on which is mounted a drive gear64. The

drive gear 64 is operatively connected to the gear 56 by a drive chain66.

Carried by the underside of the plate 34 on opposite sides of the boommember 26 is a pair of depending V-shaped hangers 68. The V-shapedhangers 68 have at their apices suitable journals 70 in which is mounteda shaft 72 which extends between the hangers 68. Mounted on the shaft 72between the hangers 68 is an idler sprocket 74. The idler sprocket 74 isin alignment with a drive sprocket 76 carried by the shaft 54 betweenthe hangers 50.

Entrained over the sprockets 68 and 76 is an endless chain 78. The chain78 is a portion of the conveyor and has mounted thereon a plurality ofspaced blades 80.

In order that the blades 80 of the conveyor may be spaced slightly abovethe floor of a box car or the like, the supports 36 and 44 are mountedin elevative relation with respect to such a floor on blocks 82. Theblocks at each end of the conveyor are spaced apart longitudinally so asto provide room for the passage of the blades 80.

It will be understood that the purpose of making the boom 24 adjustablein length is to permit the varying of the tension on the endless chain78 so as to properly position the blades 80.

Referring now to Figure 3, in particular, it will be seen that thelongitudinal boom 22 is formed of a plurality of boom members andincludes an outermost boom member 84. Telcscoped within the boom member84 is an end of the next inner boom member 86. Telescoped Within the endof the next inner boom member 86 is an inner boom member 88. It will beunderstood that the boom members 84, 86, and 88 are telescopable, onewithin the other, so as to greatly reduce the effective length of thelongitudinal boom 22. Also, it will be understood that the individualboom members may be locked in their extended positions by suitablefastening means (not shown) which may be conventional in extensiblebooms.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that the end ofthe longitudinal boom 22 remote from the transverse boom 24 has securedto the underside of the inner boom member 88, a plate 90. Secured to theunderside of the plate 90 and depending therefrom is a pair of spacedsupporting legs 92. The supporting legs 92 are provided with suitablebearings 94 in which is rotatably journaled a shaft 96. Mounted on theshaft 96, for rotation, is an idler sprocket 98 whose purpose will beset forth in more detail hereinafter.

Secured to the underside of the outer boom member 86 intermediate itsends is a yoke 100. The yoke 100 is secured to the upper half of a splitclamp 102 which is best illustrated in Figure 3. The split clamp 102 isremovably clamped over the inner boom member 28 of the transverse boom24 so thatthe transverse boom 24 functions as a support for one end ofthe longitudinal boom 22.

Secured to the upper surface of the outer boom member 84 at the free endthereof is a mounting plate 104. The mounting plate 104 has mountedthereon a power unit 106 which is drivingly connected to a reductiongear 6 box 108. The gear box 108 has a drive shaft 110 on which ismounted a driving gear 112.

Carried by the underside of the plate 104 in depending relation onopposite sides of the outer boom member 84 is a pair of V-shaped hangers114. The apices of the hangers 114 are provided with suitable bearings116 in which is mounted for rotation a shaft 118. The shaft 118 extendsoutwardly of one of the hangers 114 and has a driven gear 120 mountedthereon. The driven gear 120 is in alignment with the drive gear 112 andis operatively connected thereto by a drive chain 122.

Mounted on the shaft 118 between the hangers 114 is a drive sprocket124. The drive sprocket 124 is in longitudinal alignment with thesprocket 98. Entrained over the sprockets 124 and 98 is an endless chain126 which forms part of a conveyor. The conveyor also includes aplurality of blades 128 carried by the chain 126 for movement closelyadjacent the floor of a box car or the like to move granular materialscarried thereby towards the blades 80 of the conveyor carried by thetransverse boom 24.

In order that the tension of the conveyor chain 126 may be varied, thenext inner boom member 86 is provided with an extension 130 whichextends substantially through the outer boom member 84. Carried by theend of the boom member 84 remote from the boom member 86 is anadjustable fastener 132. The adjustable fastener has an inner endthereof which engages an end of the extension 130 so that the effectivelength of the longitudinal boom 22 may be varied when the boom membersare locked in their extended positions.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that thelongitudinal boom 22 is spaced with respect to the transverse boom 24 bya cable 134. The cable 134 has ends thereof connected to braces of thesupports 36 and 44. The intermediate portion of the cable 134 isentrained about a sheave 136 carried by the plate 104.

Also carried by the plate 104 adjacent opposite longitudinal edgesthereof are sheaves 138. Entrained over the sheaves 138 are individualcables 140 which are connected to suitable blocks 142. The blocks 142are in turn connected to cables 144 which are entrained over sheaves 146carried by the end wall 14 of the box car 10. The opposite ends of thecables 144 are connected to the plate 90 in the manner best illustratedin Figure 5. It will be understood that by properly tensioning thecables 140, the longitudinal boom 22 may be positioned relative to thebox car 10.

When the unloader 20 is properly positioned within the box car 10, andis operating the blades 128 of the conveyor carried by the longitudinalboom 22 move granular material carried by the box car toward the centerthereof. The granular material (not shown) is then deposited adjacentthe conveyor carried by the transverse boom 24. The deposited granularmaterial is then moved through one of the doorways 16 by the blades 80to complete the unloading operation of the box car 10.

It will be understood that the unloader 20 is collapsible to size whichwill facilitate the passage thereof through the doorway 16 of the boxcar 10. If desired, a suitable overhead support (not shown) may beprovided for facilitating the movement of the unloader into and out ofthe box car 10. While the unloader 20 has been illustrated and describedfor use in combination with a box car for unloading the contentsthereof, it will be understood that the unloader 20 is not so limited inuse. If desired, the same may be utilized in bins, storage houses, andthe like, in addition to box cars.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcarcomprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, saidsecond boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar betweendoorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mountedlongitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall ofa boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted onsaid second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioningtransversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boomfor moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carriedby said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor andmoving material through a boxcar doorway.

2. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcarcomprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, saidsecond boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar betweendoorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mountedlongitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall ofa boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted onsaid second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioningtransversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boomfor moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carriedby said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor andmoving material through a boxcar doorway, said first boom beingcollapsible to permit entrance of said unloader through a boxcardoorway.

3. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcarcomprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, saidsecond boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar betweendoorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mountedlongitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall ofa boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted onsaid second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioningtransversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boomfor moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carriedby said second boom for re ceiving material from said first conveyor andmoving material through a boxcar doorway, supports at opposite ends ofsaid second boom, a support at said one end of said first boom, saidunloader being supported within a boxcar by said three supports.

4. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcarcomprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, saidsecond boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar betweendoorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mountedlongitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall ofa boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted onsaid second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioningtransversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boomfor moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carriedby said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor andmoving material through a boxcar doorway, said first boom beingcollapsible to permit entrance of said unloader through a boxcardoorway, supports at opposite ends of said second boom, a support atsaid one end of said first boom, said unloader being supported within aboxcar by said three supports.

5. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcarcomprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, saidsecond boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar betweendoorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mountedlongitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall ofa boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted onsaid second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioningtransversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boomfor moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carriedby said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor andmoving material through a boxcar doorway, brace means extending betweenopposite ends of said second boom and connected to an intermediateportion of said first boom to brace the connection between said booms,said brace means being adjustably connected to said first boom to permitshifting of said first boom relative to said second boom.

6. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcarcomprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, saidsecond boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar betweendoorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mountedlongitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall ofa boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted onsaid second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioningtransversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boomfor moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carriedby said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor andmoving material through a boxcar doorway, brace means extending betweenopposite ends of said second boom and connected to an intermediateportion of said first boom to embrace the connection between said booms,said brace means being adjustably connected to said first boom to permitshifting of said first boom relative to said second boom, means carriedby said first boom engageable with a boxcar for adjustably positioningsaid first boom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS924,332 Fleming June 8, 1909 1,110,239 Steever Sept. 8, 1914 1,346,681Pratt July 13, 1920 1,521,290 Hague Dec. 30, 1924 1,626,984 Sundberg May3, 1927 1,854,351 Suppes Apr. 19, 1932 2,219,926 Jensen Oct. 29, 1940

